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The auriculotemporal nerve arises as two roots from the posterior division of the mandibular nerve. These roots encircle the middle meningeal artery ( a branch of the pterygoid part of the maxillary artery, which is in turn a terminal branch of the external carotid artery). The roots then converge to form a single nerve.

The auriculotemporal nerve passes medially to the neck of the mandible, gives off parotid branches and then turns superiorly, posterior to its head and anterior to the auricle. It then crosses over the root of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, deep to the superficial temporal artery

The somatosensory root (superior) originates from branches of the mandibular nerve, which pass through the otic ganglion without synapsing. Then they form the somatosensory (supoerior) root of the auriculotemporal nerve. The two roots re-unite and shortly after the branching of secretomotor fibers to the parotid gland (parotid branches) the auriculotemporal nerve comprises exclusively somatosensory fibers, which asencd up to the superficial temporal region. Supplies the auricle, external acoustic meatus, outer side of the tympanic membrane and the skin in the temporal region.

The parasympathetic root (inferior) carries postganglionic fibers to the parotid gland. These parasympathetic, pregangionic secretomotor fibers originate from the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) as one of its branches, the lesser petrosal nerve. This nerve synapses in the otic ganlgion and its postgangionic fibers from the inferior, parasympathetic root of the auriculotemporal nerve. The two roots re-unite and shortly after the "united" auriculotemporal branch gives off parotid branches, which serve as secretomotor fibers for the parotid gland.